The Department of Transport and Main Roads is to work with local manufacturers to ensure that new low emission buses are made in Queensland for Queenslanders.
The Department said it would conduct market soundings to assess the industry’s capacity.
Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Mark Bailey said the plan would help deliver Queensland’s zero-emission bus targets.
“We are committed to seeing every new Translink bus will be zero emission in South-East Queensland from 2025, and in the regions between 2025 and 2030,” Mr Bailey said.
“The South-East Queensland diesel bus fleet emits over 12,000 tonnes of CO2 a month and the staged implementation of this program will see a 50 per cent reduction by 2030 and an 80 per cent reduction by 2035.”
He said making new, electric buses in Queensland would ensure the targets were met, while supporting good jobs for Queenslanders.
Minister for Manufacturing, Glenn Butcher said Queensland industry was primed to take charge of opportunities like this.
He said the next step in developing the State’s bus manufacturing policy was to work with industry to understand its capacity better.
“The transition to zero emissions, including funding, procurement, construction, asset ownership and supply of renewable energy, will require a different model to the current diesel bus operating contracts,” Mr Butcher said.
“We are approaching bus manufacturers across the State right now so we can understand what’s possible, and how we can best support a commitment of this magnitude.”
More information about Queensland’s bus services can be accessed at this PS News link.
